Having only scored three goals in their last three outings, Flint found their shooting boots once more, as they put Llanelli to the sword for the second time this season, running in four goals without reply. And, Elliott Reeves notched his second hat-trick of the season, against the same opponents, following his first half hat-trick in the earlier game at Steboneath Park.
The home side started as they meant to go on, putting together an excellent passing move on 5 minutes, which resulted in Ben Hughes receiving the ball on the right and supplying a cross that Mikey Burke came onto from the left side, and his half volley skidded across the face of goal, and crept inches past the far post. That early move set the tone for the rest of the half, with the visitors penned back and looking to create some sort of chance on the break, whilst Flint patiently passed the ball around in front of them, probing for openings. Hughes, and Jake Canavan, in particular, were running the show from midfield, and were at the main creative influences. Indeed it was Canavan who did the spadework for the opening goal on 14 minutes. First of all he did well to win the ball back inside his own half on the left side, before exchanging a quick one-two with a teammate, that set him away on a surging run into the middle of the park. He then produced a sublime, slide rule pass to pick out Jake Phillips on the right, who centred it to the incoming Reeves, who had a simple tap in to open the scoring.
On the half hour Reeves should probably have doubled his tally, when he had another close range opportunity. A deep cross from a free kick was met by Alec Mudimu, who headed it back across the 6 yard line, but as the ball bounced up, Reeves’ connection could only send it over the bar.
Llanelli almost made the most of that let off a couple of minutes later, when they mounted a rare foray into the Flint half, as a result of a free kick awarded near the halfway line. Goalkeeper Alex Pennock came out to launch the ball forward into the Flint box, and it ended up falling invitingly to Sam Parsons, who struck a sweet shot, but Jack Flint got down well to his left to push the ball away from his goal.
Isaac Lee made one of his forward thrusts as normal service resumed on the Llanelli goal, and his run took him into the box before he unleashed a shot that Pennock kept out with his feet.
Lee turned provider on the stroke of half time, as he received the ball on the right, carried it inside before slipping it to Reeves, who executed a smart turn before despatching the ball into the top corner to make it 2-0.
Within a minute of the restart it could have been 3-0, as Lee got on the end of a pull back, and saw his goalbound shot cleared off the line by Sean Cronin.
Following that early excitement, the second half then entered a slight lull, before Flint had to endure a bit of a sticky patch as the visitors belatedly tried to force their way back into the game. Some half chances came and went as the ball bounced around the home 18 yard box, but on each occasion the danger was just about cleared before any serious damage was done.
On 65 minutes, the Silkmen shrugged off their lethargy and sprang forward with purpose, as the ball was moved quickly, and Josh Jones delivered it into the path of Jake Canavan who made the most of the space he was given to drill a shot into the corner, and effectively put the result to bed.
Llanelli managed to create one further noteworthy chance, as Ethan Cann was slipped through, but Flint denied him, saving with his legs.
The remaining action was played down the other end of the pitch, and a good advantage led to the move that ended with the fourth goal and Reeves’ hat-trick on 83 minutes. As play was allowed to go on following a foul on Ben Wynne, Burke broke down the left, before delivering a good long ball to Jones who was situated in the Llanelli box. Jones was forced towards the bye line, but managed to play the ball back into the path of the supporting Phillips, who kept up his great assisting record, by squaring it across the six yard box, for Reeves to dart onto, before rifling a shot high into the net.
Flint sub Kenny Imariagbe could have made it five a couple of minutes later, when he received a ball on the edge of the six yard box, with the goal invitingly open in front of him. But as he delayed slightly to get the ball under control, that hesitation allowed Joe Lloyd to get back at him and deflect the shot out for a corner. Nevertheless, this was a very convincing, and timely, win for the Silkmen, as they kept themselves in touch with the middle section teams, in what is a very congested section of the table, as just one point separates sixth and ninth place, which Flint currently occupy.
Next week our attention turns to the Welsh Cup, as we head to Bow Street, near Aberystwyth, for our 2nd round tie. Kick off is 12-45pm, with the game being selected for live coverage by Sgorio, on their online platforms.
Report by Nigel Sheen. Photos by Steve Parker.
Line Ups :
Flint Town United – J. Flint, I. Lee (D. Davies 74), M. Burke, A. Mudimu, H. Owen (c), J. Thorn, J. Phillips, B. Hughes (G. Maire 84), E. Reeves (C. Ferguson 84), J. Canavan (B. Wynne 74), J. Jones (K. Imariagbe 84). Unused Subs – D. Szczepaniak (GK), L. Morrison
Llanelli Town – A. Pennock, H. Bright, J. Parry, S. Cronin, J. Baker, J. Hopkins (c), J. Lloyd (R. Booth 89), T. Wharton (J. Norris 75), E. Cann (M. Evans 75), S. Parsons (B. Gibbings 75), T. Jenkins (D. Williams 75). Unused Subs – M. Lewis (GK), N. Sanca
Flint MOM – Elliott Reeves (had to be the hat-trick hero, although he was run might close by an impressive Jake Canavan)
